Greater Arlington has a lot to offer and that includes Asia Times Square!
Asia Times Square is the hub for Asian Heritage Festivals and events along with plenty of authentic Asian cuisine and businesses. From Lion Dancing to just sitting down with your family for a nice dinner, ATS is here to serve the community and share the beauty of Asian Culture with the DFW metroplex.
“Preserving Traditions, Promoting Cultures,” is not only the slogan for Asia Times Square but it is something the Loh Family, owners of ATS, live by. When asked why they chose greater Arlington to begin growing a beautiful community of restaurants, retailers and entertainment within the area, the response was simply, “We should be proud of who we are and where we come from.”
The Loh Family have fought a lot harder than most to get to where they are today. Their origins begin with Grant Loh, his wife and eight children as they tried to flee Vietnam. In the process, Grant was captured and imprisoned for a grueling nine months. They eventually found refuge in Malaysia and spent the next nine months awaiting a sponsor. Aunt Bonnie Minatra helped freedom rain upon the Loh family as they were finally able to find sanctuary in the United States.
Although becoming business owners was not immediate and there were lots of bumps along the way, the Loh family began to see the American Dream knocking on their door with the purchase of an Asian Market on Pioneer Parkway. What once was just the Hong Kong Market has now expanded to housing over 60 Asian restaurants and retailers.
During an International Corridor Vision meeting back in October, Matthew Loh, CEO of ATS, said, “Pioneer is very dear to us. I think the name Pioneer Parkway is very fitting to a lot of the entrepreneurs along Pioneer.”
Asia Times Square is all about community engagement and giving an opportunity for those who have never experienced Asian culture, entertainment or cuisines to get out of their comfort zones. ATS offers over 40,000 products that most people have never tried since you cannot find them at your every day grocery store. “No mater what you try, it will be an experience where people of all walks of life can try something new,” says Matthew Loh.
The Loh family is giving new experiences to the community but they are also giving back. In honor of their late father, Grant Loh, the LOH Foundation was created. This Foundation awards scholarships to students as well as aiding community nonprofits to allow them to make even more of an impact in the DFW area and the world.
What makes it even more special is that the Foundation name represents so much more than a family name. Spreading Love, providing Opportunity, giving Hope for all, is the way the Loh family lives their lives, and that is what makes Asia Times Square not only a beautiful place to engage with the community but what makes it an important asset to greater Arlington.
If you would like to know even more about ATS’s mission and what they offer, please watch the video below!
Written by: Makayla Reed